EFFector Vol. 23, No. 16 June 23, 2010 editor@eff.org
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424
effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a
desired change.
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In our 538th issue:
* GET MORE PRIVACY ON THE WEB WITH THE HTTPS EVERYWHERE
EXTENSION FOR FIREFOX! Released last week as a public
beta by EFF and the Tor Project, the Firefox extension
helps guarantee that your browser is using encryption
when visiting Google Search, Wikipedia, EFF, and many
other sites that offer HTTPS.
To learn more and get HTTPS Everywhere:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/06/encrypt-web-https-everywhere-firefox-extension
* EFF RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE "SUBPOENA DEFENSE" LIST TO
HELP TARGETS OF MOVIE-DOWNLOADING LAWSUITS. EFF has heard
from many people, distressed to learn that their identity
is being sought by the US Copyright Group for allegedly
having downloaded a movie using BitTorrent. While EFF
cannot advise each of these defendants individually,
we have assembled a list of attorneys nationwide who are
willing to help advise and possibly represent subpoena
targets.
For more information about Subpoena Defense:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/06/eff-launches-subpoena-defense-list-help-targets
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EFF Updates
* Tell ACTA Negotiators to Protect Your Rights
Take action now and sign the communiqué opposing the
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), a treaty
that could cut people off of the Internet, turn ISPs into
copyright cops, and restrict innovation worldwide.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/06/sign-acta-communique-and-tell-negotiators-protect
* EFF Files Brief to Protect Online Commentary & Criticism
EFF and several free speech allies filed an amicus brief
in a case over the "hot news" doctrine, defending the
right to publicly gather, share, and comment on the news
of the day.
https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/06/22
* Letter to Facebook: More Privacy Improvements Needed
EFF, the ACLU of Northern California, and a coalition of
privacy groups are urging Facebook to take six critical
steps to protect members' information.
https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/06/16
* Supreme Court Issues Decision on Text Message Privacy
The Supreme Court dropped encouraging hints on the future
of text message privacy, while laudably recognizing that
expectations and reliance on new technologies are in
rapid flux.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/06/hopeful-signs-supreme-court-text-messaging-ontario-v-quon
* Search Engine Snooping Sneaked Into EU Declaration
A misleading campaign led confused members of the EU
Parliament to approve a statement that included extending
the invasive Data Retention Directive to search engines.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/06/eu-search-engine-snooping-mandate-sneaked-child
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miniLinks
~ Public Information Should Be, Well, Public.
The American Prospect profiles public data crusader
Carl Malamud.
http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=washingtons_it_guy
~ Copyright: The Elephant in the Middle of the Glee Club
The hit TV show features great mash-ups. But couldn't a
real Glee Club be sued for that?
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2010/06/copyright-elephant-in-middle-of-glee.html
~ ThinkGeek Receives Trademark Takedown for Gag Product
Geek-centric online retailer ThinkGeek received a cease
and desist letter for using the "the other white meat"
slogan for its fake unicorn meat product.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2010/06/officially-our-bestever-cease.html
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Announcements
* Defcon 18 Getaway Contest Update and a NEW T-Shirt!
The Defcon 18 Getaway Contest is getting down to the
wire, and things are heating up! One hundred twenty-six
participants have raised over $5,000 so far! In first
place, competing as an individual, is Art Conklin
with $1,225. In second place is Holy Handgrenades with
$800! Team Nodes has achieved an impressive $500! Special
thanks to the honorary Ninja Networks and Friends team
for being one of our contest sponsors and raising over
$1,380 even though they are ineligible to win.
As a special thank you, EFF will award a limited edition
Defcon 18 "Things to Hack" t-shirt to ALL fundraising
captains who raise more than $200. The shirt's to-be-pwned
list shows the world's best hacks -- past and future --
and contains a hidden message that...well, you'll have to
see for yourself! This is an exclusive opportunity for
contestants only, as the shirts will only be available
to Defcon 18 attendees, and they can't get them until
the conference.
Register today! You have until June 30, 2010, to raise as
much as you can and compete for the Defcon event prize
packages. Victory and Vegas domination are within your
reach: http://eff.org/defcon
Thanks to our Defcon 18 Getaway Contest sponsors:
~ Tenable Network Security
~ iSEC Partners
~ IOActive*
* Nominate a Pioneer for EFF's 2010 Pioneer Awards!
EFF established the Pioneer Awards to recognize
leaders on the electronic frontier who are extending
freedom and innovation in the realm of information
technology. This is your opportunity to nominate a
deserving individual or group to receive a Pioneer Award
for 2010. The International Pioneer Awards nominations
are open to individuals and organizations from any
country. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of judges
chosen for their knowledge of the technical, legal,
and social issues associated with information technology.
https://www.eff.org/awards/pioneer/
How to Nominate Someone for a 2010 Pioneer Award:
You may submit as many nominations as you wish! This year
we've made it possible for you to nominate someone
using our online nomination form. We also welcome
nominations via email, but please use one form or email
per nomination. If emailing entries, please submit your
entries via email to pioneer@eff.org. We will accept
nominations until August 9, 2010.
Simply tell us:
1. The name of the nominee,
2. The phone number, email address or website by which
the nominee can be reached, and, most important,
3. Why you feel the nominee deserves the award.
Nominee Criteria:
There are no specific categories for the EFF Pioneer
Awards, but the following guidelines apply:
1. The nominees must have contributed substantially
to the health, growth, accessibility, or freedom of
computer-based communications.
2. To be valid, all nominations must contain your
reason, however brief, for nominating the individual or
organization and a means of contacting the nominee. In
addition, while anonymous nominations will be accepted,
ideally we'd like to contact the nominating parties in
case we need further information.
3. The contribution may be technical, social, economic,
or cultural.
4. Nominations may be of individuals, systems, or
organizations in the private or public sectors.
5. Anyone may nominate a potential Pioneer Award
recipient, and you may nominate more than one
recipient. You may also nominate yourself or your
organization. Please send separate email messages for
each nominee.
6. Anyone can receive a Pioneer Award except:
- current members of EFF's staff
- current members of EFF's operating board
- current Pioneer Award judges
- past Pioneer Award recipients
7. Persons or representatives of organizations receiving
an EFF Pioneer Award will be invited to attend the
ceremony at EFF's expense.
More on the EFF Pioneer Awards:
https://www.eff.org/awards/pioneer/
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* Dream Job Alert! EFF is looking to fill the following
positions:
~ Senior Copyright Lawyer
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is seeking a
senior-level copyright attorney. Responsibilities will
include litigation, public speaking, blogging, media
outreach, and legislative and regulatory matters related
to a variety of high technology legal issues.
Qualified candidates will have at least five years
of experience working in copyright law, including an
in-depth knowledge of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
(DMCA) sections 512 and 1201. Candidates should also have
significant experience in at least one of the following
specialties: trademark law, trade secret law, and/or
patent law. Litigation experience is required, including
significant experience managing both overall case strategy
and day-to-day projects and deadlines. Candidates should
have good communication skills and an interest in working
with a team of highly motivated lawyers and activists
in a hard-working nonprofit environment. Strong writing
and analytical skills, as well as the ability to be
self-motivated and focused, are essential. Tech savviness
and a familiarity with Internet civil liberties and high
tech public interest issues is strongly preferred. This
position is based in San Francisco.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and
references to ipjob@eff.org.
~ Open Government Attorney
EFF is seeking a staff attorney to join its
FOIA Litigation for Accountable Government (FLAG)
Project. Responsibilities will include filing Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) requests and handling follow-up
litigation, public speaking, media outreach, and
legislative and regulatory advocacy, all in connection
with the FOIA and open government issues. The staff
attorney will also directly supervise a deferred associate
or volunteer working on the FLAG Project.
The ideal candidate will possess these qualifications:
- Demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, civil
liberties issues involving emerging technologies.
- At least four years of litigation experience, including
significant experience managing cases, overall case
strategy and day-to-day projects and deadlines. Specific
FOIA litigation experience is desirable, but not
required.
- Excellent writing and communications skills, preferably
with a track record of blogging, investigative
reporting, or other similar activity.
- Ability to manage and organize large quantities of
documentary materials.
- Familiarity with basic information technology tools.
Candidates should have good communication skills and
interest in working with a team of highly motivated
lawyers and activists in a hard-working nonprofit
environment. This position is based in San Francisco.
Interested applicants should submit a resume, writing
sample, and references to FOIAjob@eff.org.
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* Administrivia
EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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https://www.eff.org/
Editor:
Richard Esguerra, EFF Activist
richard@eff.org
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